Save the date for October symposium featuring author Sylvia Nasar

The Faculty Development Committee and the Symposium Planning Committee, with support from the Office of the Provost and the vice president for academic affairs, announce a symposium titled “Global Citizenship: Teaching and Learning for the 21st Century” to be held at Saint Mary’s Winona campus, Oct. 30-31, 2008. Presentations and participants from surrounding colleges/universities and community organizations are planned over the better part of the two days.

The keynote speaker will be Dr. Sylvia Nasar of Columbia University, New York and author of “A Beautiful Mind.” Dr. Nasar will speak in regard to the history and impact of economic globalization on the evening of Oct. 30.

These events are currently scheduled for the Common Room, third floor Saint Mary’s.

Saint Mary’s concert features jazz, percussion ensembles

Saint Mary’s will host an evening of rhythmic jazz and the unique ethnic sounds of Batucada Nossa Senhora, beginning at 7:30 p.m. today, Dec. 7, at Page Theatre.

The 18-piece Saint Mary’s Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo I, under the direction of Dr. John Paulson, will burn away any thoughts of snow when they perform with Wisconsin vocalist and swing singer Judi K.
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Her two recordings, “It’s Been A Long, Long Time” and “I’m Nobody’s Baby,” featured the talents of Jim Beebe, Jethro Burns, Truck Parham, Connie Jones and tenor-saxophonist Franz Jackson.

The SMU big band’s set with Judi K will include an arrangement of Irving Mill’s ever-popular “Moonglow” and Johnny Mercer’s “I Remember You.” Judi will also jam with Jazz Combo I on Ellington’s famous tune “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore.” Dave Wolpe arranged all of these pieces. Other soloists with the big band include alto saxophonist Vanessa Grams performing a Mike Tomaro arrangement of Thelonius Monk’s haunting melody “’Round Midnight.” Tenor saxophonist Tony Freeman will solo on several selections with the jazz combo as well as the big band, including “Cold Duck” by Eddie Harris, arranged by Mark Taylor, and Horace Silver’s uptempo tune “Sister Sadie,” arranged by Bryan Kidd.

The SMU Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo I will tour the Twin Cities in January, and then attend the International Association of Jazz Educators’ Convention in Toronto, Ont., Jan. 9-13.

Also during the evening of Dec. 7, the SMU Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo, and the voice of Judi K will all join forces with Batucada Nossa Senhora (percussion ensemble of our lady). The ethnic drum group, under the direction of Denny McGuire, will warm your hearts with two forms of Maracatu from Bahia in Northeastern Brazil, a West African drum medley from the Ewe people of Ghana, and a set of Sambas from Brazil.

Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for students and seniors. Tickets are available by calling the Box Office, Ext. 1715, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

Patronal Feast to be celebrated today in the Chapel

Today, Dec. 7, the campus community will celebrate the Patronal Feast Mass at 12:10 p.m. in the Chapel. All faculty, staff and students are invited to attend.

Pre-Finals Breakfast scheduled for Dec. 13

The Office of the Provost and Chartwells Food Service will again sponsor the Pre-Finals Christmas Breakfast for students.

All faculty are invited to participate in this event. The breakfast will be served in the Toner Center Dining Room on Thursday, Dec. 13, from 10-11:30 p.m. This popular event is usually attended by at least 650 students. About 30 faculty and staff assist with cooking, serving, and cleaning up. By tradition, second-year full-time faculty are asked to help cook from 9-10:30 p.m. First-year full-time faculty are asked to cook and clean up from 10:15-11:45 p.m. However, all faculty and staff are welcome to participate in this festive event.

Christmas carols and a visit from Santa are planned.

Christmas light service nears; singers, musicians needed

Singers and musicians are needed for this year’s Christmas Light Service, on Thursday, Dec. 13, at 9 p.m. in Saint Thomas More Chapel. The Christmas Light Service is a Saint Mary’s tradition in which the community gathers to hear the nativity story, sing Christmas carols and light candles. The event concludes around 10 p.m. There will be a rehearsal at 4 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 11, and a 7:30 p.m. final rehearsal will be held on Dec. 13. Contact Rebecca Sallee in the Office of Campus Ministry to sign up or for more details.

Gifts due back to SMU Gifts for Winona trees on Dec. 13

Gifts are due back to the SMU Gifts for Winona trees by Dec. 13. Monetary donations are still being accepted; please make the check payable to SMU and send to Gifts for Winona, Box #8 or drop off at the Student Service windows. This year SMU is helping more than 1,550 people have a happier holiday season. Look for our students, faculty and staff this weekend at Kmart and Shopko from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., where they’ll be wrapping presents!

Theatre department hosts student performances

Upcoming Theatre Department student events include:

• Sunday, Dec. 9, 3 p.m. (Valéncia Arts Center Theatre), “Duck Variations” by David Mamet (directed by Andrew Winecke ’08); and “Cowboy Mouth“ by Sam Shepard (directed by Walt Claassen ’08)
• Monday, Dec. 10, 7 p.m. Senior Portfolio Display (Performance Center Lobby)
• Monday, Dec. 10, 7:30 p.m., Acting and Musical Theatre Showcase (Figliulo Recital Hall)

Donate to Toys for Teens collection next week

Donate a toy for a needy teen this holiday season. The Cardinal Athletic Council will be collecting toys during lunch and dinner hours in the Toner Student Center foyer for Toys for Teens. They will accept donations until Saturday, Dec. 15.

McCullough edits documentary about U Sam Oeur

Ken McCullough, PASS program, Academic Advising, was recently in New York for three days to help edit the documentary “Song of the Dove,” about Cambodian writer U Sam Oeur. McCullough's participation was sponsored by the Martin Foundation, New Mexico.

Jazz events

Swing Inc., including Eric Heukeshoven, performs 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, at the Canadian Honker in Rochester.

The John Paulson Jazz Quartet performs 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, at the Canadian Honker in Rochester.

Reminder: last ‘Campus Notes’ is next week

Look ahead on your calendars. Because of Christmas break, next week is the last “Campus Notes.” The deadline for the Dec. 14 issue is Wednesday, Dec. 12. The next issue will be Jan. 11.

Christmas dinner is Dec. 18

Get your RSVPs in for the annual faculty and staff Christmas dinner on Tuesday, Dec. 18. The event begins at 6 p.m. in the dining room of the Toner Student Center. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m.

Sympathy to Farren family

Tom Farren, a long-time member of the Saint Mary’s Athletic Department, died Friday, Nov. 30. He collapsed while working in the ice arena. Farren was currently serving as head men’s golf coach, ice facility manager, and men’s hockey equipment manager. Since coming to Saint Mary’s in 1981, Tom had also served as assistant men’s hockey coach; head coach of men’s soccer, men's tennis and women's tennis; physical education instructor; athletic fields supervisor; and residence hall director. A memorial service was held on campus Wednesday. The Saint Mary’s community extends its sympathy to the Farren family.